Tim Tebow may be currently unemployed in the realm of professional football, but that won’t stop him from being named America’s most influential athlete.
According to a Forbes poll, when asked what athlete carries the most “influence with the public,” Americans say Tebow’s name tops the list. Nielsen conducted the poll in a relationship with a California mark research firm.
“For a backup quarterback to be talked about so much is incredible,” said Nielsen senior vice president of sports Stephen Master.
Tebow was called “influential” by 29 percent of those asked, according to the survey. Likely because 2012 was an Olympic year, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt came at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, behind Tebow. No. 4 was injured Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
After being released by the Jets late last month, Tebow may have a hard time catching on again in the NFL. A number of teams have denied interest in the quarterback, and things look so bleak that Tebow’s numerous supporters have even appealed to the White House to land their hero a job.
